Re-generating a displayed image

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method and apparatus to re-generate a displayed image. Graphic information is retrieved from a first storage. A graphic controller uses the graphic information to generate the displayed image. The first storage is accessible to a processor and the graphic controller. The graphic information is stored in a second storage which is accessible to the processor. The stored graphic information is retrieved from the second storage. The stored graphic information is written to the first storage to cause the graphic controller to re-generate the displayed image.

This is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 09/336,255 filed Jun. 18,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,160.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to graphics. In particular, the invention relatesto graphic display.

2. Description of Related Art

Rendering a graphic object for display on a display screen is a tediousprocess. In a typical graphic environment, a graphic controller or arendering engine is used to accelerate the generation of image. Thegraphic controller has hardware resources to perform graphic operationsat an extremely fast speed. Examples of these graphic operations includeline drawing, triangle drawing, shading, block filling, perspectivegeneration, coloring, and graphic transformation (e.g., scaling,rotation, and translation).

The content of a displayed image is typically stored in a frame bufferaccessible to the graphic controller. When it is desired to re-generatea previously rendered image, traditional methods typically use a screencapture technique. The screen capture technique involves the transfer ofthe contents of the frame buffer which corresponds to the displayedimage to another temporary storage. This temporary storage is laterrestored back to the frame buffer to allow the graphic controller tore-display the image.

The screen capture technique suffers a number of drawbacks. First, theprocess is slow because it requires the transfer of the entire framebuffer. For large images, the time to transfer the graphic data may beprohibitively high. Second, the process requires another buffer memoryof the same size as the frame buffer to store the entire graphic data.In applications where processing time and storage requirements arecritical, traditional methods using the screen capture technique are notsuitable.

Therefore there is a need in the technology to provide a simple andefficient method to re-generate a displayed image.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a method and apparatus to re-generate adisplayed image. Graphic information is retrieved from a first storage.A graphic controller uses the graphic information to generate thedisplayed image. The first storage is accessible to a processor and thegraphic controller. The graphic information is stored in a secondstorage which is accessible to the processor. The stored graphicinformation is retrieved from the second storage. The stored graphicinformation is written to the first storage to cause the graphiccontroller to re-generate the displayed image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the presentinvention in which:

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of one embodiment of an informationdistribution system in which the apparatus and method of the inventionis used.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary processor-system or user computer systemwhich implements embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a logical diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrates one embodiment of a process flow chartprovided in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an architecture to re-generate an imagefor display according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating graphic information used by a graphiccontroller to generate a displayed image according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process to re-generate a displayedimage according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus to re-generate adisplayed image. The technique retrieves the graphic information used bya graphic controller in generating the displayed image. The graphicinformation is then stored in a storage accessible to a processor. Whenit is desired to re-generate the displayed image, the graphicinformation is restored and the graphic controller is activated torender the previously rendered image using the restored graphicinformation.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that these specific details are not required in order topractice the present invention. In other instances, well knownelectrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagram form inorder not to obscure the present invention.

Definitions

As discussed herein, a “computer system” is a product includingcircuitry capable of processing data. The computer system may include,but is not limited to, general purpose computer systems (e.g., server,laptop, desktop, palmtop, personal electronic devices, etc.), personalcomputers (PCs), hard copy equipment (e.g., printer, plotter, faxmachine, etc.), banking equipment (e.g., an automated teller machine),and the like. An infomediary is a web site that provides information onbehalf of producers of goods and services, supplying relevantinformation to businesses about products and/or services offered bysuppliers and other businesses. Content refers to application programs,driver programs, utility programs, the payload, etc., and combinationsthereof, as well as graphics, informational material (articles, stockquotes, etc.) and the like, either singly or in any combination.“Payload” refers to messages with graphics or informational material(such as, articles, stock quotes, etc.) and may include files orapplications. In one embodiment, it is transferred at a predeterminedtime to the system's mass storage media. In addition, a “communicationlink” refers to the medium or channel of communication. Thecommunication link may include, but is not limited to, a telephone line,a modem connection, an Internet connection, an Integrated ServicesDigital Network (“ISDN”) connection, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)connection, a frame relay connection, an Ethernet connection, a coaxialconnection, a fiber optic connection, satellite connections (e.g.Digital Satellite Services, etc.), wireless connections, radio frequency(RF) links, electromagnetic links, two way paging connections, etc., andcombinations thereof.

In addition, the loading of an operating system (“OS”) refers to theinitial placement of the operating system bootstrap loader. In oneembodiment, during the OS load, a sector of information is typicallyloaded from a hard disk into the system memory. Alternatively, thebootstrap loader is loaded from a network into system memory. An OS“boot” refers to the execution of the bootstrap loader. This places theOS in control of the system. Some of the actions performed during the OSboot include system configuration, device detection, loading of driversand user logins. OS runtime refers to the completion of the boot phaseand the beginning of the execution of applications by the OS. In oneembodiment, during OS runtime, the OS interacts with the user to executeand/or run applications.

Power On Self Test (POST) refers to the instructions that are executedto configure and test the system hardware prior to loading an OS.

System Overview

A description of an exemplary system, which incorporates embodiments ofthe present invention, is hereinafter described.

FIG. 1 shows a system block diagram of one embodiment of an informationdistribution system 10 in which the apparatus and method of theinvention is used. The system 10 relates to providing an infomediary. Itinvolves the construction and maintenance of a secure and privaterepository of Internet user and system profiles, collected primarilyfrom warranty service registrations, Internet service registrations,system profiles, and user preferences. Initially, this information isused to register the user with the manufacturers of purchased hardwareand software products, and with the providers of on-line or otherservices. Over time, the user data is used to create a user profile andnotify users of relevant software updates and upgrades, to encourageon-line purchases of related products, and to enable one-to-onecustomized marketing and other services.

In one embodiment, two software modules are used to implement variousembodiments of the invention. One is resident on a user's system, and isused to access a predetermined web site. For example, in one embodiment,the operating system and Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) arepre-installed on a computer system, and when the computer system issubsequently first powered up, an application, referred to fordiscussion purposes as the first software module (in one embodiment, thefirst software module is the initial start-up application (ISUA), whichwill be described in the following sections), will allow the launchingof one or more executable programs in the preboot environment. In oneembodiment, the first software module facilitates the launching of oneor more executable programs prior to the loading, booting, executionand/or running of the OS. In one embodiment, the user is encouraged toselect the use of such a program (i.e., the use of the first softwaremodule), and in alternative embodiments, the program is automaticallylaunched. The program(s) contained in the first software module enablestools and utilities to run at an appropriate time, and with proper userauthorization, also allow the user to download a second software modulethat includes drivers, applications and additional payloads through theInternet connection on the PC. The programs may also provide for remotemanagement of the system if the OS fails to launch successfully.

Once the second software module has been delivered, it may become memoryresident, and may disable the transferred copy of the first softwaremodule. The original copy of the first software module still residing inthe system's non-volatile memory remains idle until the second softwaremodule fails to function, becomes corrupted or is deleted, upon which acopy of the original first software module is again transferred asdescribed above. The second software module may include an applicationthat connects the user to a specific server on the Internet and directsthe user to a predetermined web site to seek authorization to down loadfurther subscription material. The second software module may alsoinclude content that is the same or similar to the content of the firstsoftware module.

In one embodiment, the system may also include an initial payload thatis stored in Read Only Memory BIOS (ROM BIOS). In one embodiment, theinitial payload is part of the first software module (e.g. the IUSA). Inan alternative embodiment, the initial payload is stored as a module inROM BIOS, separate from the first software module. In one embodiment,the initial payload is launched from ROM BIOS and displayed on thescreen after the Power On Self Test (POST) but prior to the booting,loading and/or executing of the OS. This may occur at a predeterminedtime, such as when the system is being manufactured, assembled andtested, or when the end user first activates the system. In an alternateembodiment, this initial payload is copied to a predetermined location(such as the system's hard disk) at a predetermined time, such as whenthe system is being manufactured, assembled and tested, or when the enduser first activates the system. Once copied, the payload executes afterPOST but prior to operation of the OS, and may display graphics,advertisements, animation, Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG)/Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) formatted material on thescreen. When additional programs and/or payloads are delivered (via theInternet or other outside connection), the display screen may be used toprovide customized screens in the form of messages or graphics prior toand during booting of the OS. In addition, executable programs deliveredin the first software module, as well as subsequent programs (such asthe second software module) downloaded from the web site, may be used tosurvey the PC to determine various types of devices, drivers, andapplications installed. In one embodiment, as described in co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/336,289, entitled “Method andApparatus for Automatically Installing And Configuring Software on aComputer” incorporated herein by reference, the first software module isused to identify and to automatically create shortcuts and/or bookmarksfor the user. The programs downloaded from the website may includesoftware that collects and maintains a user profile based on the user'spreference. Such information may be provided to the Infomediary, whichsubsequently forwards portions of the information and/or compiled databased on the information to suppliers and other businesses to obtainupdates or revisions of information provided by the suppliers and otherbusinesses.

Referring to FIG. 1, the information distribution system 10 comprises aservice center 20 that is connected over one or more communicationslinks 30 ₁-30 _(N) to one or more user computer systems 40 ₁-40 _(N)(“40”). The service center 20 includes one or more servers 22, one ormore databases 24, and one or more computers 26 ₁-26 _(M). The one ormore computers 26 ₁-26 _(M) are capable of simultaneous access by aplurality of the user computer systems 40 ₁-40 _(N) If a plurality ofcomputers are used, then the computers 26 ₁-26 _(M) may be connected bya local area network (LAN) or any other similar connection technology.However, it is also possible for the service center 20 to have otherconfigurations. For example, a smaller number of larger computers (i.e.a few mainframe, mini, etc. computers) with a number of internalprograms or processes running on the larger computers capable ofestablishing communications links to the user computers.

The service center 20 may also be connected to a remote network 50(e.g., the Internet) or a remote site (e.g., a satellite, which is notshown in FIG. 1). The remote network 50 or remote site allows theservice center 20 to provide a wider variety of computer software,content, etc. that could be stored at the service center 20. The one ormore databases 24 connected to the service center computer(s), e.g.,computer 26 ₁, are used to store database entries consisting of computersoftware available on the computer(s) 26. In one embodiment, each usercomputer 40 ₁-40 _(N) has its own secure database (not shown), that isnot accessible by any other computer. The communication links 30 ₁-30_(N) allow the one or more user computer systems 40 ₁-40 _(N) tosimultaneously connect to the computer(s) 26 ₁-26 _(M). The connectionsare managed by the server 22.

After a user computer system 40 establishes two-way communications withthe information service computer 26, the content is sent to the usercomputer system 40 in a manner hereinafter described. The downloadedcontent includes an application that surveys the user and/or the usercomputer system's hardware and/or software to develop a user profile aswell as a profile of the user's system. The information gathered fromthe user and/or user's computer system is subsequently provided to theservice center 20, which provides additional content to the usercomputer 40 based on the user and system profile. The database entriesfrom the database connected to the service computer 26 containinformation about computer software, hardware, and third party servicesand products that are available to a user. Based on the user and/orsystem profile, the content is further sent to the user computer fordisplay. The content may also include a summary of information such asthe availability of patches and fixes for existing computer software,new versions of existing computer software, brand new computer software,new help files, etc. The content may further include informationregarding availability of hardware and third party products and servicesthat is of interest to the user. The user is then able to make one ormore choices from the summary of available products and services, andrequest that the products be transferred from the service computer 26 tothe user computer. Alternatively, the user may purchase the desiredproduct or service from the summary of available products and services.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100 that implementsembodiments of the present invention. The computer system 100illustrates one embodiment of user computer systems 40 ₁-40 _(N) and/orcomputers 26 ₁-26 _(M) (FIG. 1), although other embodiments may bereadily used.

Referring to FIG. 2, the computer system 100 comprises a processor or acentral processing unit (CPU) 104. The illustrated CPU 104 includes anArithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) for performing computations, a collection ofregisters for temporary storage of data and instructions, and a controlunit for controlling operation for the system 100. In one embodiment,the CPU 104 includes any one of the x86, Pentium™, Pentium II™, andPentium Pro™microprocessors as marketed by Intel™ Corporation, the K-6microprocessor as marketed by AMD™, or the 6×86MX microprocessor asmarketed by Cyrix™ Corp. Further examples include the Alpha™ processoras marketed by Digital Equipment Corporation™, the 680×0 processor asmarketed by Motorola™; or the Power PC™ processor as marketed by IBM™.In addition, any of a variety of other processors, including those fromSun Microsystems, MIPS, IBM, Motorola, NEC, Cyrix, AMD, Nexgen andothers may be used for implementing CPU 104. The CPU 104 is not limitedto microprocessor but may take on other forms such as microcontrollers,digital signal processors, reduced instruction set computers (RISC),application specific integrated circuits, and the like. Although shownwith one CPU 104, computer system 100 may alternatively include multipleprocessing units.

The CPU 104 is coupled to a bus controller 112 by way of a CPU bus 108.The bus controller 112 includes a memory controller 116 integratedtherein, though the memory controller 116 may be external to the buscontroller 112. The memory controller 116 provides an interface foraccess by the CPU 104 or other devices to system memory 124 via memorybus 120. In one embodiment, the system memory 124 includes synchronousdynamic random access memory (SDRAM). System memory 124 may optionallyinclude any additional or alternative high speed memory device or memorycircuitry. The bus controller 112 is coupled to a system bus 128 thatmay be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA) bus, etc. Coupled to the system bus 128 are agraphics controller, a graphics engine or a video controller 132, a massstorage device 152, a communication interface device 156, one or moreinput/output (I/O) devices 168 ₁-168 _(N), and an expansion buscontroller 172. The video controller 132 is coupled to a video memory136 (e.g., 8 Megabytes) and video BIOS 140, all of which may beintegrated onto a single card or device, as designated by numeral 144.The video memory 136 is used to contain display data for displayinginformation on the display screen 148, and the video BIOS 140 includescode and video services for controlling the video controller 132. Inanother embodiment, the video controller 132 is coupled to the CPU 104through an Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) bus.

The mass storage device 152 includes (but is not limited to) a harddisk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, tape, high density floppy, highcapacity removable media, low capacity removable media, solid statememory device, etc., and combinations thereof. The mass storage device152 may include any other mass storage medium. The communicationinterface device 156 includes a network card, a modem interface, etc.for accessing network 164 via communications link 160. The I/O devices168 ₁-168 _(N) include a keyboard, mouse, audio/sound card, printer, andthe like. The I/O devices 168 ₁-168 _(N) may be a disk drive, such as acompact disk drive, a digital disk drive, a tape drive, a zip drive, ajazz drive, a digital video disk (DVD) drive, a solid state memorydevice, a magneto-optical disk drive, a high density floppy drive, ahigh capacity removable media drive, a low capactiy media device, and/orany combination thereof. The expansion bus controller 172 is coupled tononvolatile memory 175 which includes system firmware 176. The systemfirmware 176 includes system BIOS 82, which is for controlling, amongother things, hardware devices in the computer system 100. The systemfirmware 176 also includes ROM 180 and flash (or EEPROM) 184. Theexpansion bus controller 172 is also coupled to expansion memory 188having RAM, ROM, and/or flash memory (not shown). The system 100 mayadditionally include a memory module 190 that is coupled to the buscontroller 112. In one embodiment, the memory module 190 comprises a ROM192 and flash (or EEPROM) 194.

As is familiar to those skilled in the art, the computer system 100further includes an operating system (OS) and at least one applicationprogram, which in one embodiment, are loaded into system memory 124 frommass storage device 152 and launched after POST. The OS may include anytype of OS including, but not limited or restricted to, DOS, Windows™(e.g., Windows 95™, Windows 98™, Windows NT™), Unix, Linux, OS/2, OS/9,Xenix, etc. The operating system is a set of one or more programs whichcontrol the computer system's operation and the allocation of resources.The application program is a set of one or more software programs thatperforms a task desired by the user.

In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art ofcomputer programming, the present invention is described below withreference to symbolic representations of operations that are performedby computer system 100, unless indicated otherwise. Such operations aresometimes referred to as being computer-executed. It will be appreciatedthat operations that are symbolically represented include themanipulation by CPU 104 of electrical signals representing data bits andthe maintenance of data bits at memory locations in system memory 124,as well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where databits are maintained are physical locations that have particularelectrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties corresponding tothe data bits.

When implemented in software, the elements of the present invention areessentially the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. Theprogram or code segments can be stored in a processor readable medium ortransmitted by a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave over atransmission medium or communication link. The “processor readablemedium” may include any medium that can store or transfer information.Examples of the processor readable medium include an electronic circuit,a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory, an erasable ROM(EROM), a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, afiber optic medium, a radio frequency (RF) link, etc. The computer datasignal may include any signal that can propagate over a transmissionmedium such as electronic network channels, optical fibers, air,electromagnetic, RF links, etc. The code segments may be downloaded viacomputer networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a logical diagram of computer system 100. Referringto FIGS. 2 and 3, the system firmware 176 includes software modules anddata that are loaded into system memory 124 during POST and subsequentlyexecuted by the processor 104. In one embodiment, the system firmware176 includes a system BIOS module 82 having system BIOS handlers,hardware routines, etc., a ROM application program interface (RAPI)module 84, an initial start-up application (IUSA) module 86, an initialpayload 88, cryptographic keys 90, a cryptographic engine 92, and adisplay engine 94. The aforementioned modules and portions of systemfirmware 176 may be contained in ROM 180 and/or flash 184.Alternatively, the aforementioned modules and portions of systemfirmware 176 may be contained in ROM 190 and/or flash 194. The RAPI 84provides a secure interface between ROM application programs and systemBIOS 82. The RAPI 84, IUSA 86, and initial payload 88 a may each beseparately developed and stored in the system firmware 176 prior toinitial use of the computer system 100. In one embodiment, the RAPI 84,IUSA 86, and initial payload 88 each includes proprietary softwaredeveloped by Phoenix Technologies Ltd. One embodiment of RAPI 84 isdescribed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/336,889entitled “System and Method for Securely Utilizing Basic Input andOutput System (BIOS) Services,” filed on Jun. 18, 1999, assigned toPhoenix Technologies Ltd., and which is incorporated herein byreference. One embodiment of IUSA 86 is described in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/336,289 entitled “Method and Apparatusfor Automatically Installing and Configuring Software on a Computer,”filed on Jun. 18, 1999, assigned to Phoenix Technologies Ltd., and whichis incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A and 4B, after power isinitially turned on to a new computer system 100, the system commenceswith POST procedures. During the initial POST, the IUSA 86 istransferred to the mass storage device 152, as shown by A1. In oneembodiment, such a transfer is made during the manufacturing and/orassembly process, when the system 100 is first powered up after theoperating system has been installed (but prior to loading and runningthe operating system). In an alternative embodiment, such a transfer maybe made after the manufacturing and/or assembly process, after the userreceives and powers up the system 100. In a further alternativeembodiment, during the transfer of the IUSA 86, additional programs,applications, drivers, data, graphics and other information may also betransferred (for example, from ROM) to the mass storage device 152. Forexample, the transfer may include the transfer of the initial payload 88a to the mass storage device 152. Alternatively, the initial payload maybe delivered from the ROM. One embodiment of the system and process forfacilitating such a transfer is described in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/336,067, entitled “System and Method forTransferring an Application Program from System Firmware to a StorageDevice” filed Jun. 18, 1999, which is assigned to Phoenix TechnologiesLtd., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.Alternative embodiments of the system and process for facilitating sucha transfer are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/272,859, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Memory-basedDevice Emulation” filed on Mar. 19, 1999, in co-pending U.S. PatentContinuation-in-Part application Ser. No. 09/336,307, entitled “Methodand Apparatus for Providing Memory-Based Device Emulation” filed on Jun.18, 1999, and in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/336,281,entitled “System and Method for Inserting One or More Files Onto MassStorage” filed Jun. 18, 1999, each of which is assigned to PhoenixTechnologies Ltd., the assignee of the present invention, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the ISUA 86 is a computer software executable programthat will determine if there are preinstalled programs that are residenton the end user's system. If so, it will identify those preinstalledprograms and create shortcuts (on the desktop in the case of a Windowsoperating system), or bookmarks, to allow the user to automaticallylaunch the programs. In this embodiment, the executable program is alsocapable of initiating and establishing two-way communications with oneor more applications on the server 22 and/or any one of the servicecomputers 26 (FIG. 1), as described below. Moreover, in one embodiment,graphical content of the initial payload 88 a is displayed by displayengine 94 on the user's display screen 148 during POST. Alternatively,the graphical content of the initial payload 88 a may be displayed aftera subsequent booting process. For example, as part of the user's profileas described below, the user may be asked if he or she would like toobtain additional information regarding one or more products and/orservices. If the user so desires, content regarding the desired productsand/or services will be displayed during subsequent boot processes.

Once POST is completed, the OS is loaded, executed, and initialized.Standard OS drivers and services are then loaded. The user is thenprompted to enter registration information including demographicinformation such as age, gender, hobbies, etc. In addition, the ISUA 86is executed, and runs in the background, remaining idle until it detectsa communication link established between the computer system 100 and aremote server (e.g., server 22 of FIG. 1) over Network 164 of FIG. 2(e.g., over the Internet). In one embodiment, the ISUA 86 may searchthrough the operating system to determine if there are applications thathave been pre-loaded and preinstalled onto the system. If so, the ISUA86 may automatically provide short cuts and/or bookmarks for theapplications to launch into a predetermined server once thecommunication link is established. This communication link can beestablished with a network protocol stack, (e.g. TCP/IP) throughsockets, or any other two-way communications technique known in the art.Once the communication link 30 is established, the ISUA 86 issues arequest signal to the server 22 (as shown by A2) to download an initialcontent package 62 from a content module 60. Responsive to the request,the server downloads the initial content package 62 (as shown by A3),which, in one embodiment, is stored in the mass storage device 152. Inone embodiment, the initial content 62 and subsequent content 64 may bedeveloped separately, and each is encrypted and/or digitally signedusing encryption keys, prior to storing of the initial content 62 andsubsequent content 64 on the server 22. When the initial content 62and/or subsequent content 64 is/are subsequently downloaded into system100, the crypto engine 92 will use keys 90 to decrypt the initialcontent 62 and/or subsequent content 64.

As discussed earlier, the initial content package 62 may includeapplications 62 a, drivers 62 b, and payloads 62 c. In one embodiment,the applications 62 a include a data loader application and a profilemanager application. The data loader application functions in the sameor a similar manner as ISUA 86, and once downloaded, disables andreplaces the ISUA 86. More specifically, the data loader application isa computer software program which is also capable of initiating,establishing, and terminating two-way communications between the server22 and the computer system 100. The data loader application alsoprovides traffic control management between the server 22 and computersystem 100, as well as other functions to facilitate communicationbetween the end user's system and the designated server, and contentdownloading to the end user's system.

The profile manager obtains the user and system profiles of the computersystem 100 based on user preferences, system hardware, and softwareinstalled at the computer system 100. Upon obtaining the user and systemprofile of the computer system 100, the profile manager applicationforwards the results to the data loader application, which subsequentlyprovides the information to the server 22, which matches the userindicted preferences with database 24 (FIG. 1). The results may beforwarded at predetermined intervals or at the user's request. Theserver 22 then processes the user profile or demographic data andtargets content to the users which have similar profiles. In addition,the user profile data of a plurality of users are compiled on the server22 and aggregated to create an aggregate user profile model. Content isthen transmitted to user computer system's based on the user profiledata and/or the aggregate user profile model (as shown by A4). Thesubsequent content 64 is downloaded and stored in system firmware 176,designated by numeral 88 b. In one embodiment, the subsequent content 64is stored in non-volatile memory such as flash or EEPROM, with theloading of the subsequent content being done by reflashing the ROM, asis well known by those skilled in the art. The subsequent content 64 mayalso be stored as one or more files on mass storage device 152 or may beused to modify the Windows™ system file (under the Windows™environment). The profile collection process is continued as long as thecomputer system 100 is activated. In one embodiment, content may bedownloaded after the user's profile is received and analyzed at theserver 22.

When the computer system 100 is subsequently powered up (see FIG. 4B),the system again performs POST. The content that was previouslydownloaded and stored in system firmware 176, and subject to copyrightissues being resolved, is then displayed, prior to loading and/orexecution of the operating system. In the Windows™ environment, theWindows™ logo, which is displayed during the initial loading of theoperating system, is subsequently replaced by one or more screen thatdisplay the previously downloaded content stored in system firmware 176.

In the case of storing the content as one or more files on the massstorage device 152, as opposed to reflashing the ROM, the Windows™ logofile, which is displayed during boot-up and shutdown, may be altered orreplaced. One embodiment utilizing this approach involves replacing thecorresponding Windows™ system files with the one or more files showingthe content (e.g. a graphic file), as described in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/336,003, entitled “Displaying Imagesduring Boot-up and Shut-down” filed on Jun. 18, 1999, which is assignedto Phoenix Technologies Ltd., the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference. The boot-up Windows display file is named LOGO.SYSand is usually located in the Windows directory. First the Windows™LOGO.SYS file is transferred from the Windows directory to anotherdirectory. Then, the content graphics file is renamed as LOGO.SYS and istransferred to the Windows™ directory. The operating system retrievesthis file when the operating system is first launched, and hence thecontent is displayed on the display screen. Windows™ expects theLOGO.SYS file to be a bit-mapped file with resolution 320×400 and 256colors although Windows™ will later stretch the resolution to 640×400for displaying purposes. Therefore, the content graphics file is to bethe same graphics format (usually named with the extension “.BMP” beforebeing renamed LOGO.SYS).

The operating system is then loaded, executed, and initialized. Thestandard operating system drivers and applications are also loaded. Theprofile manager is then executed. When a link has been established withthe predetermined web site, additional content may be downloaded andsubsequently displayed. Such additional content are either providedarbitrarily or provided based on the information obtained from a surveyof the user or the user's system. In one embodiment, once the bootprocess is completed, a portion of the display screen may be used toprovide icons or shortcuts that are used to access detailed informationregarding the previously displayed messages or advertisements. In afurther embodiment, the messages or advertisements may again bedisplayed during the shut-down process, for example, replacing thescreen display that displays the message “Windows is shutting down” or“It is now safe to turn off your computer” with other selected content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an architecture 500 to re-generate animage for display according to one embodiment of the invention. Thearchitecture 500 includes a graphic controller 510, a frame buffermemory 520, an auxiliary graphic memory 530, the CPU or processor 104,and a system storage 540.

The graphic controller 510 is a rendering engine that renders thegraphics to be displayed on the display screen of the computer system.The graphic controller 510 may be one of the video controller 132 shownin FIG. 2 and the display engine 94 shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment,the graphic controller 510 is the render engine Pixelfx manufactured by3Dfx Interactive, Inc. The graphic controller 510 includes a registerset 515 that store parameters for rendering. These parameters are partof the graphic information to be used by the graphic controller 510 torender the graphic objects. The register set 515 is accessible to theprocessor 104. The Pixelfx uses a state machine model. Rendering modescan be set once and then remain in effect until reset. Parameter valuesare set once and are used whenever the corresponding parameter isinvoked (e.g., depth testing). A state of the render engine can be savedand restored by making a copy of the current state of the render enginein a buffer defined by the user.

The frame buffer memory 520 is a memory that contains the graphic datato be rendered by the graphic controller 510. The frame buffer memory520 may contain the bit-mapped graphics or a digitized image. The framebuffer memory 520 is accessible directly to the graphic controller 510and can be accessed by the processor 104 via the graphic controller 510or directly by a separate bus (not shown).

The auxiliary graphic memory 530 is a memory that contains auxiliarygraphic data to be used by the graphic controller 510. The auxiliarygraphic memory 530 is accessible to both graphic controller 510 and theprocessor 104. For example, the auxiliary graphic memory 530 may be atexture memory used by a variety of rendering techniques such as Gouraudshading, texture mapping, texture mapping with lighting, and texturespace decompression.

The processor 104 is the central processing unit (CPU) of the computersystem as shown in FIG. 2. The processor 104 has access to the internalstorage of the graphic controller 510, the frame buffer memory 520, theauxiliary graphic memory 530, and the system storage 540.

The system storage 540 includes all the memories accessible to theprocessor 104. The system storage may include the system memory 124, theexpansion memory 176, or the mass storage 152 as shown in FIG. 2. Thesystem storage 540 is normally not accessible to the graphic controller510. The system storage 540 stores information, code, data as used bythe processor 104.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating graphic information 600 used by agraphic controller to generate a displayed image according to oneembodiment of the invention. The graphic information 600 includes agraphic parameter set 610 and a graphic command set 630.

The graphic parameter set 610 includes a set of parameters that is usedby the graphic controller 510 shown in FIG. 5 to render the graphicobjects. The graphic parameter set 610 is stored in a buffer areaaccessible to the graphic controller 510. Examples of the graphicparameters include frame buffer depth 612, color depth 614, gamma depth616, size of gamma table 618, viewport parameters 620 (e.g., location oforigin, width, and height), and range of pixel values 622.

The graphic command set 630 includes commands that are issued to thegraphic controller 510 to cause the graphic controller 510 to perform arendering function. Examples of graphic commands include line drawing,triangle drawing, shading, etc. When the graphic controller 510 receivesa graphic command, it will carry out the function using the graphicinformation. The graphic commands may be stored in a queue, a temporarybuffer, or may be issued by the processor 104 during the graphicrendering process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process 700 to re-generate adisplayed image according to one embodiment of the invention.

Upon START, the graphic controller renders the image of the graphicobjects using the graphic information (Block 710). The graphicinformation may include the graphic parameters or commands. The graphicinformation may also include the bitmapped data stored in the framebuffer memory or the texture data stored in the auxiliary buffer memory.

The process 700 retrieves the graphic information from the graphicstorage (715). The retrieval of the graphic information may be performedby the graphic controller, the processor, or another device such as adirect memory access (DMA) controller. The graphic storage includes theregister set inside the graphic controller, the frame buffer memory, andthe auxiliary buffer memory. Then, the process 700 stores the retrievedgraphic information in a storage that is accessible to the processor(Block 720). This processor-accessible storage may be the system memoryRAM, a flash memory, or a mass storage device.

Then the process 700 determines if the re-generation of renderedgraphics is desired (Block 725). If not, the process 700 is terminated.If it is desired to re-generate the displayed graphics, the process 700retrieves the stored graphic information from the processor-accessiblestorage (Block 730).

After retrieving the graphic information, the process 700 writes thegraphic information into the corresponding graphic storage (Block 735).For example, if the graphic information is the parameter set, theprocess 700 writes the parameter values to the register set in thegraphic controller. If the graphic information includes the graphiccommands, the process 700 writes the commands to the command registersof the graphic controller.

Then the process activates the graphic controller to cause the graphiccontroller to re-generate the rendered image (Block 740). Since thegraphic information of the rendered image is restored, the graphiccontroller regenerates the image as previously rendered. In somesituations, the process 700 may further provides additional informationto the graphic controller to complete the re-generation process.

The image re-generation and reuse has its application within the contextof displaying useful information during the Windows Operating systemstartup on a PC computer.

During the BIOS boot period a graphics engine generates an image intothe display adapter. This image is comprised of multiple parts that forma whole. The image is stored as parts to save space in the BIOS ROM.This data is in a proprietary format that needs to be prepared for thedisplay hardware. A program called a Graphics Engine does thispreparing. The fact that a graphics engine is required to render thatimage data makes it more complicated to display the image. Thiscomplexity is required as it allows space to be saved in the ROM. Thegain of this invention is to generate an image that is simpler todisplay and does not require the graphics engine code.

What this invention does is to retrieve from the display adapter thecolor palette and the bitmap information after the graphics engine hasrendered the data. The information extracted from the display adapter isstored in a file on the hard drive. The file is in a format that isrecognized by other programs.

In one embodiment, an image capture and re-generation program starts bygenerating a file that follows the standard Windows BitMap format (.BMPfile). First a header containing the type of the graphics format, thewidth and height, and the number of colors is written to that file. Theprocessor of the system then accesses the palette by programming apalette index register in the PC's standard Video Graphics Adapter(VGA). The color information is then read from another hardwareregister. The information made available by the display adapter is atriplet of bytes containing the color components (Red, Green, Blue) forthat given color index. The color values are adjusted to match the BMPformat (Blue, Green, Red, and one unused value), and then stored in thefile after the header. The bitmap data is then read from the videomemory of the display adapter. As the amount of bitmap data exceeds whatthe display adapter can present to the processor an extra set forregisters of the display adapter is programmed to make each memory planeof bitmap data available to the processor. Each plane of memory containsonly every fourth pixel on the screen and needs to be reorganized beforebeing written to the BMP file. Plane 0 represents pixels 0,4,8, . . .plane 1 represents pixels 1,5,9, . . . plane 2 represents pixels 2,6,10,. . . and plane 3 represents pixels 3,7,11, . . . That data is writtento the file after the color palette. The file is then closed.

This pseudo can be described as follows:

1. Create a Windows bitmap file and write a header with the 320×400dimensions and 256 colors.

2. Locate the VGA's memory starting address in the system using the VGAhardware registers

3. For all 256 colors write to the color index register then read theRed, Green, and Blue values. Store these values after the bitmap headerin Blue, Green, Red order and add an extra unused byte to suit the BMPformat of Windows.

4. For each line of the screen (starting at the end of the screen):

 For each of the 4 planes read the data and store the pixels spread outby four in the line buffer offsetting the position in the line buffer bythe plane number.

 Write the line buffer into the bitmap file and goto the next line up.

5. Close the bitmap file

This generated file now contains an image and its color information.This file can easily be reused and displayed. The chosen format of thefile is compatible with numerous other programs and systems. In oneembodiment, the generated file is used by the Windows Operating Systemas its boot screen and/or shutdown screens. That means that the filegenerated is stored as LOGO.SYS in the root directory and/or asLOGOW.SYS and LOGOS.SYS.

Thus, the present invention is an efficient technique to re-generate adisplayed image. The processor retrieves the graphic information used bythe graphic controller to generate a displayed image. The graphicinformation is then stored in a storage accessible to the processor.When it is desired to regenerate the displayed image, the processorretrieves the stored graphic information from the processor storage andwrites to the graphic controller storage.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments,as well as other embodiments of the invention, which are apparent topersons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed tolie within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for regenerating an image comprising:displaying the image using a display adapter; retrieving imageinformation from the display adapter, the image information being usedby the display adapter for displaying the image; storing the imageinformation on a storage as an image file; and regenerating the imageusing the image file on the storage during an operating system bootperiod.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said image file is a bitmapfile and the image information includes color information.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein displaying the image comprises displaying the imageusing the display adapter, said image comprising at least a portion of aboot screen.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: generating theimage file on the storage, where the image file is in a standard imagefile format; and writing the image information to the image file on thestorage, said image information comprising at least one of a graphicformat, an image width, an image height and an image color palette. 5.The method of claim 4 further comprising: storing the image file as anoperating system image file that is displayed by an operating systemduring a boot period.